Chapter 2

Evelyn's POV

DONT DO EASY!

Yeah. That hit my ego right where it hurts.

I took a slow breath, flicked my damp hair back from my cheek, and shot a sharp little eye-roll at his back as he walked away. Then I stepped over the slick tiles and made my way to Maddie.

“That was fast,” Maddie said, setting her drink aside and leaning in. “What, going to switch into a new battle outfit? Come here, let me help—I saw him. He’s like ten times hotter than Sebastian. Absolute stallion. No—stallion of stallions.”

“That stallion turned me down.”

“…You’re kidding.” Her eyes blew wide like she’d just been mildly electrocuted. “A man looked at that face and said no? What is he missing, basic male functionality?”

I barely had time to respond before she kept going.

“Although—” she dragged it out, eyes gleaming now, “I mean… he does have the right to be that arrogant. You two standing together? I honestly didn’t know where to look.”

“Please. I’ve suffered enough humiliation for one day. Drop it.” I shot her a warning look.

She got it instantly, swallowed whatever else she was about to say, and plopped down next to me like a therapist who charges by the hour. “Alright, babe. Plenty of fish in the sea. We’ll call this a warm-up round.”

I let out a small scoff. I was still annoyed—but fine, I could admit it.

That man was elite.

Top-tier. Dangerous.

And completely out of reach.

Which, frankly, made it worse.

Where the hell was I supposed to find a replacement for that?

Just as I was about to continue mentally dragging him, a wave of screams suddenly erupted from the other side of the pool.

“Oh my GOD, it’s him—!”

“Why is he here?!”

“No way—he’s even taller in real life!”

Maddie and I locked eyes, then bolted to the edge of the pool in perfect sync, leaning over to look down at the private golf lawn below.

A lean figure stepped out of a supercar.

Luis Moretti.

Golden Boot winner this year. Thirteen straight goals in the playoffs. The man they call the “Killer Whale” on the field.

Basically, if you had internet access, you knew who he was.

The women around him instantly lost it and flooded toward the lawn.

He was hot.

No question.

But I’d just been in that man’s arms five minutes ago, and right now? Even Moretti wasn’t exactly doing it for me.

Maddie grabbed my arm and let out a strangled little scream. “Do NOT let this Killer Whale swim away, okay?!”

I arched a brow. “He’s way too high-profile. His fans would trample me into a fossil.”

She immediately hooked an arm around my shoulders. “Relax. This place is fully private. No media, no cameras. You could sleep with him and ghost, and it still wouldn’t make headlines.” Then she gave me a slow once-over. “But first—you need a new look. This wet swimsuit? It’s giving ‘heartbroken heroine.’ Not ‘I hook international-level men for fun.’ Come on. Your strategist is taking over.”

That afternoon, Maddie went full makeover mode.

I wasn’t even in the mood, but she kept insisting—new energy, new target, plenty of hot men in the world.

I changed into a fitted silver slip dress. It shimmered just enough without looking cheap, clinging to my curves like it knew exactly what it was doing. The hem brushed my thighs, swaying just enough to be distracting.

My hair fell into soft, effortless waves. A hint of rose on my lips.

Strappy heels that could absolutely ruin a man’s life if applied correctly.

Maddie let out a low whistle. “Jesus. You look like sin in human form. If he doesn’t fall for you, he’s beyond saving.”

I turned halfway in front of the mirror, very pleased with myself.

Honestly… I almost wanted to thank the asshole who turned me down yesterday.

Rejecting me?

Yeah. That’s his loss.

“Oh—right!” Maddie suddenly lit up. “Luis is at the private club here. Aurum Lounge.”

I narrowed my eyes. “And you know that how?”

She tipped her chin up, smug as hell. “My dad’s friends with the owner, remember? His schedule’s locked down to the public—but I got a tip this morning.”

I patted her shoulder. “You’re basically the CIA.”

 

I made my way alone toward the inner side of the mansion.

Behind a seamless golden door—

Aurum Lounge.

The lighting was low and warm, dipped in gold. The air carried that expensive woody scent you only ever smelled in places where people didn’t check prices. Dark velvet couches framed semi-private corners, and the music pulsed low and slow—like it was dragging your heartbeat down with it.

I spotted Luis immediately.

Good. His fans hadn’t found this place yet.

He was talking to a man in a charcoal suit—sharp, controlled, the kind of presence that screamed money without saying a word. When the man left, it opened up the perfect window.

I walked past Luis.

Tilted my champagne glass—

clink.

My bracelet slipped off my wrist and hit the floor.

“Wait—you dropped something.”

His voice was low, smooth… like a storm that had just decided to behave.

I turned.

Our eyes met—his darker under the dim lights. His gaze paused. Just for a beat or two.

Good sign.

I smiled lightly. “Oh… thank you.” Then, like I’d just realized—“Wait… you’re Luis Moretti?”

His lips curved. “I thought you did that on purpose.”

“I did.” I let out a soft, easy laugh. “I mean, on the field, you move so fast it’s hard to even see your swing.”

That got a real laugh out of him.

He stepped closer, taking my hand to fasten the bracelet back onto my wrist. Too close. The air shifted—warmer now.

“I’ve got another club,” he murmured, voice dropping just a little, “not fast at all. Slow enough for you to really take it in. Want to try?”

He angled his body slightly, just enough to show off.

…That’s it?

I almost scoffed.

See? This is how men usually are. Easy.

My charm wasn’t the problem.

That asshole earlier? His problem. Sebastian? Didn’t know what he had.

I was just about to fire back with something bolder—

When suddenly—

A shadow fell over my shoulder.

And then—

A voice. Low. Cold. Dangerous. Right against my ear.

“You seem pretty interested in his club.”

I froze.

Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.

Him.

The same bastard who rejected me at the pool.

Luis frowned. “You two know each other?”

The stallion didn’t even look at him. His eyes stayed on me, calm—almost amused.

“Of course we do,” he said lazily. “Yesterday, by the lake—she was lying in my arms. Funny… you didn’t mention you liked clubs back then.”

Is he trying to ruin me?

I shot him a glare, lowering my voice. “Can you not just make things up?!”

For a split second, I seriously considered cutting him off completely. We had no relationship. None.

But after how I’d gone after him yesterday… if he said anything more—

Luis might walk.

Luis frowned deeper. “So… you two are…?”

“Nothing!” I cut in quickly, grabbing Luis’s hand. “We’re nothing. Let’s just—”

“I turned her down,” the stallion added calmly.

Me: —?!

Luis’s expression stiffened.

Oh my God. I could practically see my success rate dropping in real time.

This lunatic clearly didn’t care if I lived or died.

“So now,” he continued, tone casual, almost thoughtful, “she’s here because I rejected her.”

“No—I’m not—!”

Luis’s jaw tightened. “So what, you’re together or not?”

“We are not together!” I insisted, gripping his hand tighter.

“We’re not ‘nothing,’ either,” the stallion said lightly.

“You—!”

“Let go of me.” Luis pulled his hand free, his expression turning cold. “I’m not interested in being anyone’s backup.”

And just like that, he turned and walked out.

I spun back to glare at the man. “That was sabotage!”

His lips pressed together slightly—then he smiled.

That kind of smile.

The I did it on purpose, what are you gonna do about it kind.

“What exactly do you want?” I snapped. “You reject me, and then you come here and ruin my shot?”

He slipped his hands into his pockets, completely unbothered.

“You need a man?” he said.

Not even a question. A statement.

I almost threw my glass at him. “...What are you trying to say?”

He stepped closer.

His voice dropped.

“Pick me.”

I froze.

He moved in just a little more, eyes locking onto mine like there was nowhere else I could go.

“If you’re choosing a man tonight—” he said quietly, “choose me.”

The way he said it—

Half command. Half promise.

My heart slammed, hard, against my ribs.

No.

I steadied my breathing immediately.

That face? Dangerous.

I was not embarrassing myself twice over the same man.

So what the hell is he doing?

He rejected me—

and now he’s standing here like he’s offering something… reckless.

I pressed down the flicker of excitement rising in my chest, lifted my chin, and stepped closer to him instead.

“I only give a man one chance.”

I smiled.

Sharp. Slow.

Like a cat right before it bites.

“You already wasted yours.”